Sometimes I stop and look around and think to myself, "Dude, you are so blessed and you don't deserve it." I have a beautiful wife...I married way over my head...and three great kids. Laura and I have been married for about 71/2 years. In that time we moved 3 times and had 3 children, but we have survived…barely. We certainly feel as if God has us right where he wants us and we have no plans on changing anything for a long time. We are praying that God has that same plan. :-)
Colson, our oldest son, is 51/2 years old and is as tall as most 8 year old boys. He has the darkest brown eyes and is already quite the heart breaker. Colson is my little fishing buddy. Most 5 year olds would loose interest in fishing after the first 10 minutes or so, especially if you aren't catching anything. NOT COLSON! The first time we went out on the lake together we fished for four hours without a bite and I was ready to call it quits. He begged to keep fishing. Finally just before dark he and I said a short prayer asking for help and sure enough he caught a small crappie. I've never seen him so excited! He bragged on that fish to anyone who would listen for the next two weeks. Since then we have gone out several times and he still has a blast. Colson is very articulate for a 5 year old and as most 5 years he is very inquisitive. I've learned to be careful because I've noticed that he actually remembers how I answer his questions and he is very likely to repeat those answers to others. (That can be embarrassing at times) Colson has the best memory. He has memorized many verses of scripture and even whole chapters of narrative, such as the story of Christ's birth. He humbles his daddy regularly.
Cooper, our middle child, just turned four in January. He is 18 months younger than Colson but only weighs about 3 lbs. less. He is destined to be the a future linebacker in the NFL. (A college scholarship would be acceptable however) Cooper has beautiful blue eyes and sweetest smile (Which is the reason his mother has nicknamed him "blueberry muffin," which should go over well for his football buddies in the future). He has not yet grown into his head, but that just makes him that much cuter to his proud parents. Last year he dressed up as Charlie Brown for Halloween and it was the perfect costume for the Coopster. Cooper hasn't quite learned to pronounce his "Rs" his "Ls" or the short "e" sound, so really he has a dialect all his own that often his mother and I must ask his older brother to decipher for us. We wouldn't change it for the world, he is such a cutie. Cooper has the best sense of humor and can make us laugh without even trying. He has had his mother and me in crying in laughter on many occasions.
Esther, our youngest, will be two in March and is daddy's little girl. There is just nothing like the relationship between a daddy and his daughter. I have to really work hard to make sure that she is properly disciplined so as not to become too spoiled, but I've about decided that may be inevitable with her grandparents involvement. :-) Esther, like her mother, has the prettiest brown eyes and a smile that will melt the macho out of any man. And is she ever a camera queen. You pull out a camera and she puts on a show! I guess that is why she and Papa Chuck get along so well, he always has his camera handy. Esther always says, "Peese" (please) when she wants something and her mother and I haven't learned to resist it's power. We are hopeless. And when she crawls up in my lap holding her "gankie" (blankie) and her "inkie" (binkie) its all over! I'm toast. Pray for me...
Last, but certainly not least, my wife Laura. She turned 29 in December (for the third time), but doesn't look a day over 25. She is the love of my life and continues to amaze me. She has endured much in our first 71/2 years together and yet she continues to patiently serve right along side me in ministry and in raising up our children. She cares daily cares for our family's needs, home schools Colson, maintains our household, coordinates our church's Adult Bible Fellowship, and still finds time for her hubby. As if that is not enough she is entertaining the idea of a fourth child. Oh my! I'm trying to distract her from that idea, so if you have any suggestions let me know. She is an amazing woman who I am honored to have as my bride. I could not wish for anyone better with which to spend the rest of my life.
Oh, I almost forgot little Rudy, our 8 year old schnauzer. We love him too.
You can see a picture of my family here: http://www.youthevangelism.com/index.cfm?PAGE_ID=33
